A HERO Guards officer who won the Military Cross after leading a charge across open ground against the Taliban has been awarded a second gallantry medal just three years later.

Captain Michael Dobbin has won two gallantry medals in just three years

Captain Michael Dobbin, 30, has now been given the higher Distinguished Service Order for action against Islamic State fighters.

The award of two of the country’s highest medals within such a short period, and to such a young officer, has been described as “unprecedented in modern times”.

The DSO medal – the third most important of the gallantry medals – is usually only awarded to senior officers ranked colonel or above who command their regiment in exceptional circumstances on the battlefield and in direct combat with the enemy.

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Mr Dobbin acted when the joint Kurdish-US-UK force he was with were attacked by IS fighters

Though the Ministry of Defence released few details, military sources confirmed Capt Dobbin carried out his act of heroism after the joint Kurdish-US-UK force he was with had been attacked by IS fighters.

Despite heavy IS gunfire, which cost the lives of four Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers, he was able to rally the coalition forces around him and lead a counter-attack through a hail of bullets.

He placed his life in significant danger to save his comrades and overcome the enemy.

The Grenadier Guards officer won the Military Cross in 2012 when he commanded a reconnaissance unit in Helmand province that had become pinned down under intense Taliban machine gun barrage during a major operation by coalition forces.

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He braved machine-gun fire as close as five yards

It was the fourth time that the valiant officer had led his men to victory against significant odds, one of which led to the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to one of his soldiers, Lance-Corporal James Ashworth.

The Military Cross citation stated that Capt Dobbin fought his way through a Taliban stronghold where he was being shot at from as little as five yards away and “never once flinched from danger, advancing deep into insurgent territory” and then charged the enemy after coming under fire.

On the first occasion, having been ambushed deep behind enemy lines and with insurgents determined to prevent the platoon extracting its two casualties, Capt Dobbin waited for the medical helicopter to lift off before launching an audacious counter-attack.

Finally after two hours hard fighting, the insurgents were defeated and driven back nearly a mile.

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Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has commended the brave soldier

Three days later, Capt Dobbin’s platoon launched an air assault behind enemy lines to take out what was described as a tenacious insurgent sniper team.

As the Chinook departed, the Guardsmen came under heavy fire and Capt Dobbin led his men as they charged across 200 yards of open ground.

Although two of his men were killed, he pushed on, attacking with grenades and small arms fire and braving machine gun fire from as close as five yards.

He is a very straight guy, who always puts his blokes first

Fellow Grenadier Guard

Last night one serving Grenadier Guard who knows Capt Dobbin said: “He is a very straight guy, who always puts his blokes first.

“To be awarded a DSO is a massive achievement and is a clear indicator that he did something incredible.”

Col Richard Kemp, former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, said being awarded both the MC and DSO was “unprecedented”.

He added: “To be awarded the DSO at the rank of captain is very unusual, but to be awarded it just three years after getting the MC, and at such a young age, is unprecedented in modern times.

“This officer deserves our deep respect, admiration and thanks.”

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Michael Dobbin receiving the Military Cross from the Queen

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “Members of our Armed Forces are deployed all around the world helping to keep Britain safe.

“These well-deserved honours reflect the dedication and bravery they display on a daily basis.”